North Rhine-Westphalia | state, Germany | Britannica.com state, Germany Cologne North Rhine–Westphalia, German Nordrhein-Westfalen, Land (state) of western Germany . It is bordered by the states of Lower Saxony to the north and northeast, Hessen to the east, and Rhineland-Palatinate to the south and by the countries of Belgium to the southwest and the Netherlands to the west. The state of North Rhine–Westphalia was created in 1946 through the amalgamation of the former Prussian province of Westphalia and the northern portion of the Prussian Rhine province; the former state of Lippe was incorporated in 1947. (See also Lippe ; Rhineland ; Westphalia .) The principalities that existed until about 1800 in the area are recalled by regional names: Münsterland in the north, Sauerland in the southeast, and Berg in the vicinity of the cities of Düsseldorf and Cologne. The state capital is Düsseldorf . A large passenger boat passing Cologne Cathedral on the Rhine River, in North … Patrick Ward/Corbis Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

North Rhine–Westphalia includes the upland regions of North Eifel in the southern part of the state and the mountains of the Sauerland in the southeast. Volcanic rock occurs in the region of the Siebengebirge (“Seven Hills”) on the eastern bank of the Rhine River. In the east the Westerwald —a mountainous region bordering the Weser River —is characterized by several escarpments and by the narrow, elongated ridges of the Teutoburg Forest and some small mountains. The northwest is composed of lowlands that gradually merge with the upland regions on the south and east. Forests predominate in the higher mountain regions, but in the lowlands large forests are generally found only in infertile sandy areas. Forested areas represent almost one-fourth of the state’s total land area. The north-flowing Rhine River , along with its major tributary, the Ruhr, drains the largest physical region of the state. Areas bordering on the west are eventually drained by the Meuse (Maas) River in neighbouring Belgium and the Netherlands. Those on the north are drained by the Ems and those on the northeast by the Weser.

Ultimately, the entire drainage system empties into the North Sea . Similar Topics Saarland The state’s proximity to the North Sea (and the Gulf Stream) makes the lowland zones mild in the winter, with mean January temperatures of about 34 °F (1 °C), while July temperatures average about 63 °F (17 °C). Precipitation is often less than 30 inches (762 mm) in the Rhine valley. The mountainous regions, however, are cool and wet. North Rhine–Westphalia is Germany’s most populous state, and it has many medium-sized and large cities, especially in the Rhine-Ruhr area, which is one of the largest conurbations in Europe. Among them are Aachen , Bochum , Bonn , Cologne , Dortmund , Duisburg , Düsseldorf , Essen , Münster , Solingen , and Wuppertal . The Rhineland-Westphalian boundary—running through the state from northwest to southeast—corresponds to the old border between the Saxons and the Franks and is reflected in variations of dialect of the German language.

During the Reformation the principalities in the area were divided between Roman Catholicism and Protestantism. These differences still exist; more than half of the total state population is Roman Catholic, but local dominance of either religion often claims more than three-fourths of a region’s inhabitants. These cultural differences are strongest in the rural areas, which account for a relatively small proportion of the state’s population. In urban areas, cultural identity has dissipated as a result of heavy immigration of people from eastern Europe, the eastern Mediterranean region, and the Netherlands. Living and health standards in the state are very high. North Rhine–Westphalia plays a leading role in the national economy. The Rhine-Ruhr region—the country’s most important industrial area—runs through the centre of the state and is the principal mining and energy-producing area of Germany. Bituminous coal deposits are located in the regions of the Ruhr and Aachen, and lignite is mined west of Cologne, although many coal mines are no longer productive and have been shut down. Petroleum refineries concentrated in the Ruhr and along the Rhine are connected with the North Sea ports of Wilhelmshaven and Rotterdam, Netherlands, by a system of pipelines.

The water supply used by the state’s heavy industries and urban inhabitants is maintained by about 60 dams, located mainly in the mountains of the Sauerland, Berg, and North Eifel regions. The Ruhr industrial region of Germany. Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc. Cheetahs Face Extinction Risk Heavy industry has traditionally been the linchpin of the state’s economy. Blast furnaces, steel mills, and rolling mills, using coke from local coal deposits, dot the Ruhr region, mainly in Duisburg and Dortmund. The state’s raw steel production accounts for most of Germany’s production of that metal. Chemicals, textiles, glass, heavy machinery, electrical equipment, precision instruments, and beer are also produced in the Ruhr. In the Berg area, in the southern part of the Rhine-Ruhr region, iron and metallurgical industries and textiles play a leading role. The relatively high costs and decreasing competitiveness of many of the Ruhr’s heavy industries, however, including coal mining and metallurgy, have led to a concerted effort by the region to change both its economic structure and its image.

By the early 21st century the state had succeeded in establishing itself as one of Germany’s most important high-technology centres. The state’s service industries are also increasingly highly developed. Many commercial enterprises, trading houses, loan societies, and banks contribute to the state’s economy. (See also Ruhr .) World Tour Outside of the Ruhr, much of the state’s land is devoted to commercial farms, gardens, or orchards. Wheat and sugar beets are grown in the southern lowlands. In the north, fruits and vegetables are cultivated . In Münsterland and in the regions of the lower Rhine, cattle raising and pig breeding play considerable roles. The state has federal autobahns, as well as several thousand miles of federal, state, and district roads. It is also well served by high-speed passenger rail service. The Rhine River is one of the world’s most heavily traveled water routes and is the main means of transport for bulk cargo and manufactured goods moving between the Ruhr and the ports on the North Sea.

In addition, the 168-mile- (270-km-) long Dortmund-Ems Canal traverses central Münsterland from north to south, providing additional access from the Ruhr region to the North Sea. Duisburg-Ruhrort, at the mouth of the Ruhr River, is the largest inland port in Europe. Barges moored at Duisburg, North Rhine–Westphalia, Ger., near the junction of the Rhine and … E. Winter/ZEFA Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram Pinterest North Rhine–Westphalia is governed by a Landtag (parliament) and a prime minister, who is generally a leading member of the parliament’s strongest party. Traditionally, the Social Democratic Party of Germany has dominated the state’s political system, holding power continuously from 1966 to 2005, when it was unseated by the Christian Democratic Union -led coalition government. There are universities in Aachen, Bielefeld , Bochum, Bonn, Cologne , Dortmund, Düsseldorf, and Münster. North Rhine–Westphalia boasts a number of well-known health resorts and mineral springs, the most famous of which is Aachen.

Also of note are Bad Salzuflen, Bad Oeynhausen, Bad Meinberg, and Bad Driburg, all in the hills bordering the Weser River. Eifel National Park, located southwest of Cologne in the North Eifel region, covers some 40 square miles (100 square km) of forest and river valley wilderness. In addition, UNESCO has designated four World Heritage site s in the state: Aachen Cathedral (designated in 1978), a masterpiece of Carolingian architecture whose centrepiece is the Palatine Chapel ; Cologne Cathedral (1996), an outstanding example of Gothic architecture; Augustusburg Castle and its neighbour hunting lodge, Falkenlust (1984), in the city of Brühl; and the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex (2001) in Essen, which is a rare example of the adaptation of modern architecture to a strictly industrial site. Area 13,159 square miles (34,082 square km). Pop. (2004 est.) 18,079,686. Cathedral illuminated at night, Cologne, Germany.

© Goodshoot/Jupiterimages More about North Rhine–Westphalia 1 Reference found in Britannica Articles Assorted Reference economic expansion of Ruhr River (in Ruhr ) External Links Searchable Map of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany - Nations Online Project ___ Satellite View and Map of North Rhine-Westphalia (Nordrhein-Westfalen - Germany) Searchable Map of North Rhine-Westphalia using Google Earth Data The map shows the territory of the Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia, a German 'Bundesland'. North Rhine-Westphalia exists since 1946 as a merger of the northern Rhineland and Westphalia, both formerly parts of Prussia. Included on the map is the regional border of North Rhine-Westphalia (the red dashed lines). The state is bordered by Belgium and the Netherlands in west (the black line represents the national border), and the German states of Lower Saxony , Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate .

State capital is Düsseldorf , largest city is Cologne (Köln) , other major cities are Aachen, Bielefeld, Bonn, Bochum, Bottrop, Bergisch Gladbach, Dortmund, Duisburg, Essen, Gelsenkirchen, Hagen, Hamm, Herne, Iserlohn, Krefeld, Leverkusen, Mönchengladbach, Mülheim, Münster, Neuss, Oberhausen, Paderborn, Recklinghausen, Remscheid, Siegen, Solingen, Witten and Wuppertal. North Rhine-Westphalia is one of the 16 Federal States of Germany . The state has a population of about 18 million inhabitants. In the basic setting of the map you see North Rhine-Westphalia, with major cities, expressways (Autobahn) and main roads. To find a location use the form below. To find a location type: street or place, city, optional: state, country.

Local Time Germany: Friday-January-20 05:33 Standard Time Zone: Central European Time (CET): UTC / GMT +1 hour CEST (Daylight Saving Time) in use from end of March until end of October. Time zone offset: UTC/GMT +2 hours φ Latitude, λ Longitude (of Map center; move the map to see coordinates): , Google Maps: Searchable map/satellite view of the Federal State of Germany: North Rhine-Westphalia. Map Help [ show ] to pan the map click on the respective arrow on the pan button or click on the map and move your mouse/pointer to drag the map around (pan). to Zoom in +, or Zoom out – use the zoom buttons; or double click on the map to zoom in. Map Type Control Buttons; To switch between various map types click on this buttons: Click the Map button for a street map, this button holds the option for Terrain, it displays a physical map with topographical details. Click the Satellite for a satellite image; with the option to switch Labels (names, borders, roads, business, etc.) on and off, for a combination of satellite image and street map.

The "Pegman" symbol offers the switch to Google's street view, the 360-degree, panoramic street-level imagery. To enjoy street views, grab pegman with your cursor and hoover over the map, when street view is available parts of the map will change to blue, drop pegman there and you might have a lot of fun within unimaginable boring landscapes. One World - Nations Online .:. let's care for this planet Made to improve cross-cultural understanding, global awareness, and cultivating a cosmopolitan consciousness. North Rhine-Westphalia – Travel guide at Wikivoyage Other destinations[ edit ] The Middle Rhine Valley is traditionally considered to end in Bonn , although the demarcation is anything but dramatic. You may want to continue to explore the valley upstream to Rhineland-Palatinate when in North Rhine-Westphalia. Understand[ edit ] Landmark of Bochum—the Pitheardtower of the German Mining Museum North Rhine-Westphalia (short version NRW) is a German state and founded 1946 by the British government. The state capital is Dusseldorf while Cologne is the most populous city.

It consists of, as the name indicates, the province Westphalia in the east and the northern Rhinelands in the west. The hyphen symbolizes the attempt to bind people and regions that are so very different and stands also for the gap between the ethnic groups. This gap runs from the southeast to the northwest for 283 km across the state. The Westphalian is said to be a little bit tight-lipped but very reliable while the Rhinelanders are full of life and sometimes a little bit noisy. Knowing this makes it easier for a visitor to understand some attitudes, furthermore handle it like the locals: take it lightly. The northern part of North Rhine-Westphalia is flat farmland and is known for its expertise in horse breeding, while the southern part is mountainous, up to 1000 m above sea level. Its numerous brooks turned the wheels of numerous handicrafts before the steam engine was invented. In the middle of all aspects, geographic and ethnic, there exists the Ruhr Area (Ruhrgebiet), the name of the river at whose banks the region is situated.

It arose during the past 150 years by immigrants from all over Europe but has strong roots in Westphalia and the Rhinelands also. The region was and still is a bit the heart of heavy industry in Germany, based on coal and steel. Although mining has mostly come to an end, the people strongly derive their identity from heavy industry. North Rhine-Westphalia has about 18 million inhabitants, which makes it the most populous state in Germany and the fourth largest in area. The Ruhr is the third or fourth largest urban region in the European Union, after London and Paris and either ahead or behind Madrid. Also, 34 of the 100 largest companies in Germany and 9 of the 100 largest European companies have their headquarter in North Rhine-Westphalia. Talk[ edit ] In most large cities the regular Hochdeutsch is spoken everyday, due to the communities there being mixtures of locals and immigrants from all parts of Germany, Europe and the world. The local dialects are mostly present in the form of unique vocabulary, otherwise you should find local German easy to understand (if you know any, that is).

In larger cities, English is spoken by those performing service jobs, and chances are any person you encounter would speak at least some English too. Do note, however, that this is not a rule and you may still encounter persons who do not speak communicative English. By plane[ edit ] Airports in the state of North Rhine Westphalia. Note that Frankfurt airport is not depicted as it is out of state The major airports within North Rhine-Westphalia are: Dusseldorf Airport - one of Germany's largest airports, with intercontinental flights, as well as connections to all major European cities and aviation hubs Cologne-Bonn Airport - just an hour away from the former, very well connected to the rest of Germany, as well as Europe, with flights to even smaller airports across the continent Dortmund Airport - mostly used by low-fare carriers who avoid the lofty fees of the other two airports Additionally, both Bonn, Cologne and Düsseldorf, as well as many other cities in the region, can be reached by a direct high-speed train from Frankfurt Airport . By train[ edit ] Several ICE high speed lines go through the state, among them the Frankfurt Cologne mainline with speeds of well over 300 km/h.

Regional trains are sometimes cheaper and often take more "scenic" routes that are too curvy for high speed trains . In the immediate border area with Belgium and the Netherlands (the Euregio) special discount tickets for local trains apply making day trips across the border very affordable indeed. see also: Intercity buses in Germany There are a number of inner-German as well as international bus lines with stops in most major cities of the state. As the domestic market only became deregulated in 2012, there is still a lot of change and routes may appear and disappear on relatively short notice. By car[ edit ] As this is the most densely populated state of Germany, numerous long distance Autobahnen run through this state and across the border. Due in part to the high population density, they are however also prone to congestion, especially at the first and last weekend of major holidays or during rush hour. Get around[ edit ] Public transport is very good with a high density.

You need only one ticket for local, regional train RB and regional express trains RE (no high-speed trains, though their top speed is usually 160km/h [~100mph]), light rail systems S-Bahn, metro (U-Bahn/Stadtbahn), trams/streetcars (Straßenbahn) and buses in the whole North Rhine-Westphalia. You don't need to purchase another ticket when you change from local train to bus, light rail and tram. Example: You purchased a ticket from Aachen to Wuppertal for local, regional and express trains. With this ticket, you can use the monorail (Schwebebahn) and the city buses in Wuppertal. Port of Duisburg at dusk Schloss Moyland, one of the many castles of North Rhine-Westphalia There is plenty to see and explore in the NRW. The most obvious recommendations are the large cities, with both rich history and bustling contemporary life, full of events, including the famous Carnival of Cologne . But if you want to escape from the hustle and bustle, the Eifel mountains in the southeast are a very different environment, peaceful, quiet and full of great sights.

Aachen Cathedral with parts of the building dating back to the 800s is well worth a visit. For more modern history check out the German Mining Museum in Bochum . Do[ edit ] The abundance of rivers provides for plentiful river cruising opportunities. Many locals own boats and, as the Rhine is also connected naturally and via canals to many other major rivers and bodies of water, enjoy travelling around Europe's waterways at their whim. North Rhine-Westphalia is also home to many sports clubs. Borussia Dortmund soccer club has been particularly successful in the 2010s. Eat[ edit ] There is no particular North Rhine or Westphalian cuisine, but this doesn't mean you are not in for some culinary delights. Due to the abundance of ethnic minorities, there is a variety ethnic restaurants of all shapes and sizes - from the local Döner Kebab stand to exquisity fine dining establishments. Of note is the fact that Düsseldorf has a sizeable Japanese population (1% of the city), which is there mostly due to Japanese companies having their European headquarters there. Therefore, you will find quite a few higher-end Japanese restaurants in the city.

Drink[ edit ] Beer is the drink of choice in the region, with every city being proud of local breweries and the unique kinds and brands of beer that they make - like the Kölsch in Cologne . Head over to the local Bierkeller and mingle with the locals if you speak some German (or just enjoy the atmosphere and people-watch, if you don't). In larger cities you will also find other kinds of busy nightlife, with nightclubs catering to various cultural groups and music tastes. Sleep[ edit ] As the area is densely urban and well-travelled by both business and leisure travellers, the accommodation base is plentiful and offers a wide choice, from exquisite boutique hotels in historic monuments, through efficient and comfortable business-oriented hotels down to small and cozy (and inexpensive) local Pensions. Go next[ edit ] Lower Saxony forms a geographic continuum with Westphalia, and offers all kinds of attractions, bot natural, historic and modern Rheinland-Pfalz and Hesse are further up the river Rhine, and you can get there by all means of transportation, including boats.

Apart from beautiful natural landscapes and world-famous wineries, you can also visit another major German city, Frankfurt , which has frequent and fast railway connections with both Dusseldorf , Cologne and Bonn Netherlands and Belgium border North-Rhine Westphalia, and there are many transportation options to get there, even for a day trip This region travel guide to North Rhine-Westphalia is a usable article. It gives a good overview of the region, its sights, and how to get in, as well as links to the main destinations, whose articles are similarly well developed. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page . North Rhine-Westphalia | Article about North Rhine-Westphalia by The Free Dictionary North Rhine-Westphalia | Article about North Rhine-Westphalia by The Free Dictionary Related to North Rhine-Westphalia: Saxony-Anhalt , Rhineland Palatinate North Rhine–Westphalia (nôrth rīn-wĕstfāl`yə), Ger. Nordrhein-Westfalen (nôrt`rīn-vĕst'fä`lən), state (1994 pop.

17,759,000), 13,111 sq mi (33,957 sq km), W central Germany. Düsseldorf is the capital. The state is bounded by Belgium and the Netherlands in the west, Lower Saxony in the north and east, Hesse in the southeast, and Rhineland-Palatinate in the south. Situated in the lower Rhine plain, North Rhine–Westphalia includes the Teutoburg Forest and the Rothaargebirge. It is drained by the Rhine, Ruhr, Wupper, Lippe, and Ems rivers. A highly industrialized state, it contains the largest industrial concentration in Europe (see Ruhr Ruhr , region, c.1,300 sq mi (3,370 sq km), W Germany; a principal manufacturing center of Germany and formerly known as one of the world's greatest industrial complexes. In the 1980s the coal and steel industries declined, leading to serious unemployment. ..... Click the link for more information. district), with one of the largest mining and energy-producing regions in Europe.

It has excellent transportation facilities, including superhighways, electrified rail service, river transport, and two large airports. Its manufactures include chemicals, machines, processed foods, textiles, clothing, and iron and steel. More than half of the state's total land is occupied with commerical farming as well as gardens and orchards, although these enterprises amount to only a small portion of the area's gross annual product. North Rhine–Westphalia is also the most populous state in Germany and has numerous large cities, including Aachen, Cologne, Düsseldorf, Duisburg, Essen, Dortmund, Remscheid, Oberhausen, and Wuppertal. There are universities at Bielefeld, Bochum, Bonn, Dortmund, Düsseldorf, Cologne, and Münster. The state was formed in 1946 through the union of the former Prussian province of Westphalia Westphalia , Ger. Westfalen, region and former province of Prussia, W Germany. Münster was the capital of the province. After 1945 the province was incorporated into the West German state of North Rhine–Westphalia, now a state in reunified Germany. ..... Click the link for more information.

, the northern part of the former Prussian Rhine Province Rhine Province, Ger. Rheinprovinz, former province of Prussia, W Germany. The province was also known as Rhenish Prussia and as the Rhineland. The northern section of the former province (which contained part of the industrial Ruhr district) is now included in the state ..... Click the link for more information. , and the former state of Lippe Lippe , former state, N central Germany, between the Teutoburg Forest and the Weser River. It was incorporated in 1947 into the state of North Rhine–Westphalia. Detmold, the former capital, was the chief city. ..... Click the link for more information. . It possesses little historic unity because of significant cultural differences among the various peoples in the state; this diversity has been enlarged by substantial immigration from other European countries to cities throughout the region. North Rhine-Westphalia (German, Nordrhein-West-falen), a Land (state) of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG), located in the Rhine River basin. Area, 34,000 sq km.

Population, 17.1 million (1972). The capital is the city of Düsseldorf. Bonn, the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany, is located in the state. There are lowlands in the north and west, and the Wester-wald is in the south and east. North Rhine-Westphalia is the most urbanized and most densely populated state of the FRG (more than 500 persons per square kilometer). More than 90 percent of the population lives in cities (1973); 24 cities have more than 100,000 inhabitants. These include Cologne, Essen, Düsseldorf, Dortmund, Duisburg, and Wuppertal, which together form the Ruhr-Lower Rhine area, the largest urban region in the country, with a population of 10 million. North Rhine-Westphalia is an important economic region of the RFG, accounting for 30 percent of the country’s gross national product and industrial output. Its economic significance is due to the Ruhr Coal Basin (a major factor in the development of the Ruhr industrial region) and the proximity of one of Europe’s main arteries, the Rhine.

More than 88 million tons of hard coal (85 percent of the national total) are extracted in the Ruhr and Aachen basins, while more than 101 million tons of brown coal (90 percent of the national total) come from the Cologne basin. Hydroelectric power plants in North Rhine-Westphalia produce approximately one-half of all the electrical energy in the country (151 billion kW-hr in 1973) and supply other regions with electricity. Imported petroleum is received in Cologne through pipelines from Wilhelmshaven and Rotterdam. Petroleum refineries in Cologne, Gelsenkirchen, and other cities account for 40 percent of all petroleum refined in the FRG. Most of the country’s ferrous metallurgy (70 percent) is concentrated in the Ruhr, including the cities of Duisburg, Dortmund, and Düsseldorf. Nonferrous metallurgy is also highly concentrated around the Ruhr.

North Rhine-Westphalia is the center for much of the country’s heavy machine building, including 85 percent of the mining equipment, 90 percent of the blast-furnace and rolling-mill equipment, more than one-half of the railroad cars, and approximately one-half of the machine tools. It also produces river ships, motor vehicles, power machinery, and electronic equipment. The chemical industry produces plastics, synthetic fibers, and rubber; there is also petroleum refining, basic chemical production, and coke production. The textile industry (cotton and silk) is centered in the Münster area and along the left bank of the Rhine, as is the food industry, mainly beer brewing. North Rhine-Westphalia is the country’s leading producer of cement and glass. The predominance of old branches of industry in the overall volume of production and the crisis in coal extraction have caused a relatively low rate of overall industrial development. Agriculture, which accounts for only 2.5 percent of the gross national product, is a major economic factor only in outlying parts of the Ruhr-Lower Rhine area. Vegetables are raised, and there is dairy farming.

Grain and sugar beets are raised at an inlet of the Rhine near Cologne. North Rhine-Westphalia has a dense network of railroads, highways, and waterways, including the Rhine and the Dortmund-Ems Canal, which link the state with the sea. There is also a concentrated system of petroleum, gas, and petroleum-product pipelines and electric power transmission lines. There is an airport serving Cologne and Bonn. S. B. L North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany: Well Connected | Site Selection Online A SITE SELECTION INVESTMENT PROFILE NORTH RHINE-WESTPHALIA, GERMANY From Site Selection magazine, November 2012 SHARE THIS ON SOCIAL MEDIA Tweet Well Connected North Rhine-Westphalia’s logistics infrastructure makes the state a must-have location for investors in distribution operations in Western Europe. The Rhine River, shown here at Düsseldorf, the state capital of North Rhine-Westphalia, provides a key logistics asset to companies in the region with direct links to seaports in Belgium and the Netherlands. by MARK AREND P Dirk Scholz, general manager, physical distribution, 3M Supply Chain Operations EDC ick your mode of transport.

By any measure, North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) is Germany’s most connected federal state — to the rest of Germany, to Europe and to the world. Companies like Zalando, Germany’s largest online retailer of shoes, apparel and fashion products, and U.S. online retail giant Amazon can reach 150 million consumers within a 500-kilometer radius. All industry sectors benefit from North Rhine-Westphalia’s logistics infrastructure, from automotive and energy to plastics, chemicals and high-tech. But distribution operations are the chief beneficiaries of the state’s extensive road, rail, air and marine assets. That may explain NRW’s ability to host 27,800 logistics-related companies that employ approximately 284,000 people. More than 615,000 work in logistics-related areas at commercial and industrial enterprises. “North Rhine-Westphalia, centrally located in Europe, has the densest road and the longest rail networks in Germany,” says Dr. John D. Gatto, president and CEO of NRW.INVEST (North America) LLC, the state’s economic development agency.

“It boasts two major international airports, in Düsseldorf and Cologne, not only for passenger traffic, but also with regard to air freight activities. UPS and FedEx have chosen Cologne as being their European hub. These factors ensure excellent connections to customers and clients, and all major cities in Europe are reachable via a three-hour flight or less. “NRW also supports the world’s largest inland port at Duisburg and the most important terminal for intermodal transport at the Cologne-Eifeltor transshipment depot,” adds Gatto. “The port lies at the intersection of several major European waterways and links the region to many European seaports. NRW has the densest population of all 16 German states and comprises the largest sales and sourcing market in Europe. Companies choose NRW as their investment location because of the region’s educated and highly skilled workforce, its excellent R&D network and central location in Europe. These factors make NRW an attractive investment location and an economic powerhouse of international standing. When we talk about North-Rhine Westphalia, we talk about Germany at its best.” 3M is expanding its logistics center in North Rhine-Westphalia to improve its supply chain in Western Europe.

“North Rhine-Westphalia is home to the biggest 3M research center outside the USA, as well as 3M’s biggest European logistics center — the 3M European Distribution Center [EDC],” says Dirk Scholz, general manager, physical distribution, 3M Supply Chain Operations EDC. “The perfect geographical position and the very good infrastructure of the region speak in favor of North Rhine-Westphalia.” EDC Jüchen has been in operation since 1994. After a one-year construction period and investment of around €41 million, 40,000 pallet racks were created, plus a conveyor system with a length of 1,500 meters, as well as 23 approach ramps. In the starting phase, around 1,000 orders per day were dispatched daily, from customers and 3M companies in Germany, in the Netherlands and some Scandinavian and Eastern European countries. They received around 15,000 different products from Jüchen.

“In order to be in a position to supply other countries, such as Norway and Finland, and to safeguard more markets, 3M started expanding the EDC in July 2002,” says Scholz. “As additional external locations also no longer offered sufficient space for the planned growth, expansion was once again decided upon in September 2010. Our logistics partner, the Kleine group, erected a new, 40,000-sq.-m. warehouse opposite the EDC, which is connected to the previous building via a 150-m. long conveyor bridge over the B59 main road. Thanks to the expansion with 45 additional new approach ramps, a total of 82 trucks or semi-trailers can now be loaded at the same time in Jüchen. This €25-million investment created 20 new jobs in Jüchen. There are currently 255 employees at the EDC in Jüchen.” Zalando GmbH began construction in October on a 110,000-sq.-m. logistics center in Mönchengladbach, west of Düsseldorf, that will employ about 1,000 people when fully operational.

“We count this win as our biggest success of 2012 so far,” notes Gatto. “Our goal was to get near our Western European customers, and so the location in Mönchengladbach was competing against several other locations in Western Germany and Europe,” says Kristin Dolgner, Zalando’s corporate communications director. “Zalando chose Mönchengladbach because of its short distance to our customers in Western Europe and its good location in terms of transportation routing. The close and confident working relationship with the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, the local representatives and the city of Mönchengladbach and the excellent location in the metropolitan region in the Rhine-Ruhr area were essential elements for the decision as well.” But logistics was the driving force behind the location decision, Dolgner stresses.

“Mönchengladbach’s central location in the Rhine-Ruhr area with short distances to our customers in Western Europe, in combination with excellent transport connections and a strong labor force potential within the catchment area, represents the ideal complement to our existing fulfillment centers.” Invest with Confidence Are NRW’s logistics assets (see sidebar) a strong enough lure for companies wary of investing in Germany due to perhaps outdated perceptions of its labor climate? NRW.INVEST’s Dr. Gatto makes the case that they are — and that it’s a good idea to clear up misperceptions where they exist. “Perhaps the most common myth is that doing business in Germany involves a lot of time and red tape,” he illustrates. “Contrary to popular belief, meeting local business requirements often takes less time and effort than doing business in the U.S. Several NRW investment projects hold the record for quick resolution. “The second most common myth,” he continues, “is that German business laws and practices favor the employee. On the contrary, German employment regulations allow great flexibility concerning personnel management and enable a U.S. company to enforce similar personnel practices followed in the U.S.

A third misperception is that many American investors view Europe as a single business market with a unified population, mentality and business ethic. “This is simply not the case,” Gatto insists. “Europe in general is comprised of individual countries, each having their own language, culture, history and business ethic. At NRW, we take pride in our region and look forward to introducing investors to the many assets our state has to offer. The professionals are ready to provide information, assessment and feedback to ensure that their next investment decision is a positive investment in North Rhine-Westphalia.”E This investment profile was prepared under the auspices of NRW.INVEST. For more information on investing in North Rhine-Westphalia, visit Online retailer Zalando GmbH is building a 110,000-sq.-m. logistics facility in Mönchenglad-bach, North Rhine-Westphalia, that will resemble this Zalando facility on the inside. When operational, the center will employ about 1,000.

North Rhine-Westphalia travel guide - Wikitravel Other destinations[ edit ] Stolberg - historic town with medieval castle near Aachen Monschau - Another historic town in a valley in the Eifel reagion near Aachen with many original half-timbered houses Understand[ edit ] North Rhine-Westphalia (short version NRW) is a German state. It was created in 1946 by the British military administration, who combined the former province of Westphalia and the norther parts of the Rhine province into a new state. In 1947 the former state of Lippe was added as well. This move was driven by the desire to have the industrially important Ruhr area located within a single state. This created a state with pronounced cultural differences. The down-to-earth, somewhat tight-lipped Westphalians contrast with the cheerful and outgoing Rhinelanders; and the Ruhr Area has a working-class identity of its own. Knowing this makes it easier for a visitor to understand some attitudes, furthermore handle it like the locals: take it lightly.

North Rhine-Westphalia has about 18 million inhabitants, which makes it the most populous state in Germany and the fourth largest in area. 34 of the 100 largest companies in Germany and 9 of the 100 largest European companies have their headquarter in North Rhine-Westphalia. The Rhine-Ruhr area, ranging from Köln and Bonn to Duisburg and Dortmund, is one of Europe's largest metropolian regions, with over 11 million inhabitants. It contains the state capital Dusseldorf , as well as Cologne , the most populated city. Towards the north, the state has a more rural character, with flat farmland and an expertise in horse breeding. The southern part is mountainous, up to 1000 m above sea level. Its numerous brooks turned the wheels of numerous handicrafts before the steam engine was invented. The mountainous areas towards the south, such as the Sauerland, are also know for their scenic nature and are a popular weekend retreat. The Ruhr area (Ruhrgebiet), which ranges from Dortmund to Duisburg, has been the center of Germany's heavy industry since the early 20th century.

Even today, the region has a distinct no-nonsense working class identity. Due to the industry's need for workers, immigrants have always been attracted to the Ruhrgebiet - first coming from Poland and then, after the war, from southern Europe and Turkey. Towards the end of the 20th century, coal mining gradually ended and heavy industry declined. The economic turmoil and need to refocus can still be felt today, with the region moving from heavy industry to high tech. Talk[ edit ] The main language understood and spoken by nearly everybody is of course German. In some places, e.g. in Cologne, people may speak their local dialect but will switch to standard German when they realise someone does not understand them. Immigrants who usually live in bigger cities may speak their native tongue (or the native tongue of their parents), especially Arabic and Turkish. Most people do at least have basic English skills. Near the borders to France and Belgium a lot of people speak French. Get in[ edit ] The most important airports are Düsseldorf ( IATA : DUS), Germany's 3rd largest airport, and Cologne ( IATA : CGN). Budget flights are also available to Dortmund ( IATA : DTM).

Frankfurt ( IATA : FRA) is connected via a high-speed rail and can be reached in less than an hour from cologne. Also, there are buses that connect the budget airport Frankfurt-Hahn ( IATA : FFH) with Cologne, but these will take longer. The major cities have high-speed train links with the rest of Germany and Europe, and it is a major connection point for the motorways (Autobahn). Since the liberation of the bus market, there are also long-distance buses to other parts of Germany. Get around[ edit ] Public transport is excellent in the Rhine-Rhur metropolitan area, with buses and trains taking you virtually everywhere. Thanks to a unified ticketing system you can go door-to-door anywhere in the state with a single ticket: You need only one ticket for local, regional and express trains (no high-speed trains), light rail systems, trams and buses. And with the motorways often crowded, this may be your best option to get around the major cities. On the other hand public transport is often only rudimentary in the rural areas. If you're heading for the countryside, you may think about bringing your own vehicle.

Question: Which city, by the River Rhine is the capital of the German federal state of North-Rhine Westphalia?
Answer: Düsseldorf